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101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, hereinafter referred to as "this code." 101.2 Scope. This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to structures, processes, premises and safeguards regarding:

1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of structures, materials or devices;

2. Conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises;

3. Fire hazards in the structure or on the premises from occupancy or operation;

4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems; and

5. Conditions affecting the safety of fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. 101.2.1 Appendices. Provisions in the appendices shall not apply unless specifically adopted.

101.3 Intent. The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum requirements consistent with nationally recognized good practice for providing a reasonable level of life safety and property protection from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency

operations.

101.4 Severability. If a section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this code is, for any reason, held to be illegal, such

decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this code.

101.5 Validity. In the event any part or provision of this code is held to be illegal or void, this shall not have the effect of making

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void or illegal any of the other parts or provisions hereof, which are determined to be legal; and it shall be presumed that this code would have been adopted without such illegal or invalid parts or

provisions.

101.6 Required signage. Signage required by these codes shall utilize approved internationally recognized pictographic symbols and/or be printed in Arabic and English. Unless otherwise specified, characters shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) high and a minimum of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) wide and utilize an approved contrasting background.

SECTION 102 APPLICABILITY

102.1 Construction and design provisions. The construction and design provisions of this code shall apply to:

1. Structures, facilities and conditions arising after the adoption of this code.

2. Existing structures, facilities and conditions not legally in existence at the time of adoption of this code.

3. Existing structures, facilities and conditions when required in Chapter 46 of the Fire Code.

4. Existing structures, facilities and conditions which, in the opinion of the Directorate General of Civil Defence, constitute a distinct hazard to life or property.

102.2 Administrative, operational and maintenance provisions. The administrative, operational and maintenance provisions of this code shall apply to:

1. Conditions and operations arising after the adoption of this code.

2. Existing conditions and operations.

102.3 Change of use or occupancy. No change shall be made in the use or occupancy of any structure that would place the structure in a different division of the same group or occupancy or in a different group of occupancies, unless such structure is made to comply with the requirements of this code and the Building Codes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Subject to the approval of the Directorate General of Civil Defence, the use or occupancy of an existing structure shall be allowed to be changed and the structure is allowed to be occupied for purposes in other groups without conforming to all the

requirements of this code and the Building Codes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi for those groups, provided the new or proposed use is less hazardous, based on life and fire risk, than the existing use. 102.4 Application of building code. The design and construction of new structures shall comply with the Building Codes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and any alterations, additions, changes in use or changes in structures required by this code, which are within the scope of the Building Codes of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, shall be made in accordance therewith.

102.5 Application of residential code. Where structures are designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Codes of

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the Emirate of Abu Dhabi the provisions of this code shall apply as follows:

1. Construction and design provisions: Provisions of this code pertaining to the exterior of the structure shall apply

including, but not limited to, premises identification, fire apparatus access and water supplies. Where interior or exterior systems or devices are installed, construction permits required by Section 105.7 of this code shall also apply.

2. Administrative, operational and maintenance provisions: All such provisions of this code shall apply.

102.6 Historic buildings. The provisions of this code relating to the construction, alteration, repair, enlargement, restoration, relocation or moving of buildings or structures shall not be mandatory for existing buildings or structures identified and classified by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi or the Federal Government as historic buildings when such buildings or structures do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Fire protection in designated historic buildings and structures shall be provided in accordance with an approved fire protection plan.

102.7 Referenced codes and standards. The codes and standards referenced in this code shall be those that are listed in Fire Code Chapter 47 and such codes and standards shall be considered part of the requirements of this code to the prescribed extent of each such reference. Where differences occur between the provisions of this code and the referenced standards, the provisions of this code shall apply.

The Fire Official may approve products, materials, system

components and construction methods that are in compliance with the latest editions of international standards other than those referenced within when, in his opinion, such products or methods meet or exceed the referenced standards. In the event another approved standard is used, the provisions within that standard shall apply with no intermingling of provisions from any other similar standard.

Where approved by the Fire Official, provisions from other model International Codes published by the International Code Council may be used to comply with the intent of this code, provided such approval does not lessen life or fire safety.

102.8 Subjects not regulated by this code. Where no applicable standards or requirements are set forth in this code, or are contained within other laws, codes, regulations, ordinances or bylaws adopted by the jurisdiction, compliance with applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association or other nationally recognized fire safety standards, as approved, shall be deemed as prima facie evidence of compliance with the intent of this code. Nothing herein shall derogate from the authority of the Directorate General of Civil Defence to determine compliance with codes or standards for those activities or installations within the Directorate General of Civil Defence’s jurisdiction or responsibility.

102.9 Matters not provided for. Requirements that are essential for the public safety of an existing or proposed activity, building or structure, or for the safety of the occupants thereof, which are not

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specifically provided for by this code shall be determined by the Directorate General of Civil Defence.

102.10 Conflicting provisions. Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific

requirement shall be applicable. Where, in a specific case, different sections of this code specify different materials, methods of

construction or other requirements, the most restrictive shall govern. 102.11 Other laws. The provisions of this code shall not be deemed to nullify any provisions of local, Emirate of Abu Dhabi or federal law.

The contents of this document shall be used in conjunction with current Civil Defence Regulations. Where requirements differ, the most restrictive shall apply.

102.12 Application of references. References to chapter or section numbers, or to provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such chapter, section or provision of this code.

PART 2—ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS